Jun 15 Flames at The Four Seasons, The Westcliff: Review and Décor Match

The Westcliff - grand Colonial charm, dainty pink façade and of course a marvellous view. Showcasing Johannesburg as though she consisted of nothing more than a vast amount of trees and a few skyscrapers. That and the high tea you’re enjoying from the comfort of the Polo Lounge. This was one of the things that made me fall in love with this city.

Understandably, I was apprehensive when I heard they’d been taken over and revamped by The Four Seasons group. It’s also understandable that, hearing they no longer offered high tea, I was very disappointed. Unwilling to fall victim to disappointment and miss out on better things though, we opted instead for the highly acclaimed Flames restaurant at the Four Seasons, The Westcliff with their much publicised artisan braai.

Upon arrival all seemed as it should. Dapper hosts carted us up the hill in a golf cart and we arrived at a clear glass lift. I was happy to exchange the old fashioned stairs for the beautiful view of our city the modern addition offered. Cloaked in her evening gown now and dotted with bright diamond lights.

Reception at Flames was however cold and although we reserved a table, it seemed we were not expected. Service throughout dinner was friendly but tardy on a quiet Sunday night and the comfortable chairs were too low for the tables, making it very difficult to eat without your elbows next to your ears.

Some of the dishes were overpriced and below average, like the spice crusted seared tuna loin starter, with tomato reduction, rocket and watercress salad and cucumber spaghetti for R120.

Others, like the main of Karoo lamb chops marinated with thyme and garlic, ratatouille vegetables and lemon mashed potatoes for R214, were exceptional! I never quite got the braai taste or experience though, which in my opinion should somehow be different from a normal “flame grilled”.

Desert on the other hand was everything I hoped it would be. We shared a coconut crème brûlée and it was superbly silky and subtly flavoured.

Once I made peace with Colonial departure from The Westcliff, I noticed that the latest décor trend (Art Deco revival) had arrived and settled nicely in Africa. Geometrical patterns and dashes of gold contrast with beautifully textured, natural materials and African motifs. This creates a clean, chick combination of the two worlds.

I’ve gone out to find pieces similar to some of my favourites at Flames:

Instagram

Nipples. Let’s talk about the perky, pink wonders that hold unknown power and intrigue. Just to be clear, we’re talking about female nipples here. ⠀
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They’re a little like snowflakes in that no two are alike (even on the same woman, frustratingly) and no two women have the same feelings when looking at their own nipples. Hopefully, by the time you reach your thirties you have been blessed with either an adoring partner or nursing child to help you look on your own nipples tenderly, realising for yourself the importance of these tiny bits of flesh.⠀
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Nobody realises their importance more acutely than the woman who has lost one or both her nipples with a mastectomy. And perhaps, to an extent, Cara du Plessis who hand makes realistic adhesive prosthetic silicone nipples. ⠀
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“It’s something small,” says Cara, “but it can have an actual impact on someone’s life. The idea that this product could be that last bit of confidence a woman needs to say ‘Now I am done with breast cancer,’ means so much to me.”⠀
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Women who are able to afford breast reconstruction will often have it done during the mastectomy, but getting reconstructed nipples and tattoos means additional costs and further painful surgeries for them. Pain free and affordable nipples, however, was something Cara could make with confidence and it’s a place where the unique hand-made quality of each piece is a definite advantage. ⠀
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The long and the short of them⠀
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A pair of Perky Pinks will set a breast cancer survivor back a mere R1,999 and could last for years if taken care of properly. They come in three different sizes and five different shades. The adhesive is waterproof, meaning you can keep them on for 3 – 5 days and swim and shower with your gorgeous new nipples without the fuss of reapplying them daily. The set comes with 10 ml of FDA approved adhesive, suitable for sensitive skin; as well as a handy handbag-ready 5ml adhesive; application brush; 50 ml spray-on remover solution; alcoholic cleansing wipes and a booklet. ⠀
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For more information, or to purchase a pair, visit the Perky Pinks at buff.ly/2BFwObb

“And I wonder: Have I squandered my dogness?... Have I made a mistake by anticipating my future and shunning my present?” - The Art of Racing in the Rain, Garth Stein
#jolabokaflodclub

Well that’s finally done! Here’s to my newly established family Jolabokaflod-club. #books #reading “Whatever our struggles and triumphs, however we may suffer them, all too soon they bleed into a wash, just like watery ink on paper.” - Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden

And here’s why we must all wear sunscreen. I can’t stress this enough.

The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.